If you want pet coverage, it can typically cost somewhere in the range of $2,000 to $6,000 over the life span of an average pet. The chances of you having to spend that much on treatments are slim.

But if you are one of those people who would do just about anything to save your pet, then you might want to take the precautionary measure of getting pet insurance to avoid going into debt.

Gigantic Bills for New Treatments

A lot has changed in veterinary science, and the economics of running a veterinary practice has changed as well. Today a vet will offer treatments that didn’t even exist a few years ago, and the prices of them could make you cry. Think about these facts:

• Your pet can now get treatments that used to be reserved for humans; treatments like radiation therapy and kidney transplants. These once fatal conditions can now be treated at an expense which typically goes into the thousands of dollars.
• Your vet now has access to complicated and expensive diagnostic tools like MRI’s. Not only does this raise the cost of the visit, but new exam tools can also detect problems that before would have gone unnoticed and untreated.
• Because of these expensive tools and procedures, the cost of health care is constantly increasing.

In 2009, the American Pet Products Association figured that Americans spent $45.4 billion on their pets, and 12.2 billion dollars of that figure was spent on veterinary services. That amount was a ten percent increase over the amount spent in 2008.

There are not a lot of pet owners who actually have pet insurance. It was estimated in 2007, by the American Veterinary Medical Association, that 72 million dogs and nearly 82 million cats in the United States were kept as pets, and yet there were only 850,000 pet insurance polices in effect.

Insurance companies have teamed up with the American Kennel Club and Petco Animal Supplies to offer insurance to pet owners. There are also more than 1,600 companies including Office Depot and Google who offer pet insurance coverage as an optional employee benefit.

Exclusions, Deductibles, and Extra Fees

Veterinary Pet Insurance or VPI is one of the oldest pet insurance providers. It has seen its revenue increase by an average of 26.8 percent since 1998. This company used to own approximately 71 percent of the U.S pet insurance market. In 2007, it had $149 million in gross sales.

Pet insurance will not fix everything. Take into consideration that:

• These plans generally have deductibles, copayments, and caps that will restrict how much they pay in annual claims.
• The majority of insurance providers exclude pre-existing problems and hereditary conditions like hip dysplasia in Golden Retrievers. There is only one company, Embrace Pet Insurance, which will cover conditions like these.
• As pets grow older, the insurance premiums to cover their health expenses increase in cost. Some insurance firms will not provide coverage for animals older than nine years of age, and the ones who do will have stiff surcharges.

The most expensive common pet medical conditions:

Dogs

1. Intervertebral disk disease $2,844
2. Lung cancer $2,032
3. Gastric torsion (bloat) $1,955
4. Foreign body ingestion (small intestine) $1,629
5. Cruciate rupture $1,517
6. Foreign body ingestion (stomach) $1,398
7. Cataract (senior) $1,244
8. Bone cancer $1,059
9. Pin in broken limb $1,000
10. Brain cancer $916

Cats

1. Foreign body ingestion (small intestine) $1,629
2. Urinary tract reconstruction $1,399
3. Foreign body ingestion (stomach) $1,391
4. Rectal cancer $1,011
5. Bladder stones $989
6. Intestinal cancer $942
7. Hyperthyroidism (radiation) $920
8. Fibrosarcoma (skin cancer) $780
9. Acute renal failure $565
10. Mast cell tumors $497

Obtaining Inexpensive Dog Insurance

It’s not that hard to find a quote for dog insurance. The Internet has made it quite easy. Still as you look, you should keep certain things in mind.

• The dog’s health history. Does he have any inherited diseases?
• The pedigree or species of the dog.
• Where the dog lives? Insurance is usually higher in heavily populated areas.
• The pet’s age
• The dog’s risk factors; the likelihood of developing a disease

Economical Veterinarian Charges

There are generally two types of pet insurance, premium and basic. Most pet owners only buy pet insurance for specific conditions. If your dog has diabetes, then the health coverage would only pay for diabetes related treatments. If your dog suddenly develops heart disease, then it would not be covered under the diabetes policy. When you are getting pet insurance, make sure you find a plan that will meet your pet’s needs. Surprise illnesses could place quite a burden on your wallet.

Owners of older dogs may find it more difficult to obtain insurance for these canine seniors. Many insurers even have cut-off rates which vary with the breed of the dog.

Comparing Dog Insurance Companies

If you are unable to get coverage for your dog, another option might be to put a monthly amount in the bank each month in some type of savings account. If your dog has an emergency, all you have to do is take the money out of the account. If your dog is rarely ill, then that money is safe in the bank and earning interest.

Love Pets?
Did you know that a veterinary technician earns an average of $30,000 per year taking care of injured and sick animals? This is especially true here, in America, where pet owners spend more than $18.5 million annually on veterinary care and medications. The nation’s love affair with its pets translates into a great deal of employment opportunity as the need keeps rising for educated, well-trained veterinary medicine professionals working in animal clinics and hospitals that are sprouting up across the land. You could be part of this explosive growth.

Opportunity and Demand are Rising
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for qualified veterinary technicians will increase by a whopping 36 percent through 2018 at a rate much faster than many occupations. This is due to an increasing occurrence for people owning household pets that in essence become members of the family. In turn, this love affair with animals increases the need for veterinary medical care. In every animal medical practice, animal doctors – DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) – rely upon the necessary assistance from trained professionals – the veterinary technician.

Qualifications
The minimum education required for an entry-level position is to obtain an Associate’s degree from an American Veterinary Association (AVMA) accredited program. This education teaches students the necessary clinical and laboratory skills preparing for a professional career in veterinary medicine equivalent to becoming a registered nurse administering to humans. Greater responsibilities are accompanied by greater personal and financial reward for students studying in a four-year program that leads to a Bachelor’s degree as a veterinary technician.

Consider securing your future with an education turning what you love into what you do.

According to PR Newswire, there are ten animals that provide an immediate threat to your dogs, should they be actively involved in your outdoor environment.

1. Snake
2. Coyote
3. Raccoon
4. Squirrel
5. Scorpions
6. Javelina
7. Porcupine
8. Ground Hog
9. Skunk
10. Rats

The best pet insurance will cover anything from lacerations to bite wounds. In contrast, treatment for these types of injuries can run several hundred to thousands of dollars if you don’t have coverage.

Auto insurance companies like Progressive offer special riders for pet owners in the event that their pets become injured during car travel.

2. Make sure your policy has a wellness plan.

Wellness plans were created by insurance companies to help pay for routine pet care like physical exams and annual vaccinations.  If you enroll your pet at a young age, you will reduce the chance of insurance companies excluding your animal for pre-existing conditions.

3. Make sure your pet is covered by a stable company.

Longevity is key when selecting a pet insurance company.  Find out how long your company has been in business and examine how they are viewed by the Better Business Bureau.  Steer clear of companies that have a large number of customer complaints.

4. Get immediate coverage.

Make sure you sign up for a policy that activates the day that you sign the dotted line.  Many companies choose to delay policy benefits for certain aspects of your policy’s coverage, sometimes forcing you to wait up to 30 days for coverage.

5. Make sure you’re covered on the road.

Some companies like to sneak in an exclusion that precludes your pet from insurance benefits when he is physically away from your property.

6. Avoid companies that promise to reimburse you “as quickly as possible.”

Consider this similar to when your second cousin Louie asks you for a loan. In both cases, you’re likely to never see your money again.

7. Policy cancellation penalties should be non-existent.

Companies should never charge you for cancelling their benefits.

8. Stock up on meds before traveling with your pet.

Nothing slows down insurance reimbursements like pet bills from atypical locations. Ensure that your benefits will be in full effect by planning ahead for extended absences.

9. Look for discounts.

The ASPCA and the Humane Society both offer vaccination clinics at reduced rates. These clinics can often cost less than an insurance-covered visit to your primary veterinarian.

10. Get a second opinion.

You may trust your vet, but if she is recommending costly procedures, call up your pet insurance company to discuss possible alternatives or to ask for recommendations for a second opinion.

He’s young, healthy, and completely perfect… for now. When you bring your new puppy home from the ASPCA or the pet store, he’s as good as it gets. Problem is, he’s a puppy, which means he can get into anything (and I do mean anything) faster than you can say, “I had no idea a vet bill could cost that much!”

He’s your child’s best friend. Pet insurance for your puppy saves you from having to put down your family pet because you simply can’t afford to pay out of pocket for an unexpected surgery.

You would do it for yourself and your children. Most of us shudder at the idea of going without healthcare. The same sentiment should be applied to your pet. If you take on the responsibility of owning a puppy, you need to protect him in the same way that you protect yourself and your children.

A cheap insurance policy can be almost as costly as having no insurance policy. Make sure to read the fine print of your new pet policy carefully. Many policies offer low monthly rates in exchange for high deductibles. If you can’t afford the deductible, you aren’t protecting your puppy.

These five tips will help you make the call:

1. Learn whether your breed is predisposed to certain illnesses. A lot of pet insurers won’t cover these conditions, but that’s the coverage you’ll need most.  When you speak with the different pet insurance companies, ask if they cover breed-specific, hereditary, or pre-existing conditions. Find out what percentage they’ll cover, and whether both treatments and prescriptions are included.

2. Read reviews online for the pet insurance companies you’re considering. There are a lot of articles weighing the pros and cons of pet insurance, but it can be most helpful to read real scenarios from pet owners. Learn if the company pays out in a timely manner, or if they frequently deny parts of claims.

3. Look at the underwriter behind the policy you’re considering and look at their Best Rating. This shows you the company is able to pay out future claims.

4.Find out whether there are caps per incident, year, or ailment. If you don’t ask this in advance, you may find yourself with insufficient coverage.

5. Ask if you have limitations regarding which vet you can see. Some pet insurance companies let you choose any veterinarian in the country, but they don’t all work the same way.

When comparing companies and plans, make sure to read all the fine print and ask lots of questions. It’s better to take your time than make a hasty decision—especially if you buy a lifetime policy!